What are they keys to success? According to most motivational posters it is hard work that pays off. While this is true, I think there is more depth than this. Success is achieved by those who hold on no matter what, who fight for what they want, who work hard every day, don’t lose sight of their goal, and are always learning. Success is found through determination, persistence, and patience. Patience is the hardest step in the process. Most people are willing to work hard for what they want, most are probably determined to get success in their chosen field. But, patience, is the difference between getting there, and changing plans.

There is no such thing as an overnight success. There is such thing as someone who hasn’t been heard of before becoming well-known seemingly overnight. But their success did not come as a whim. The success of these “overnighters” is built on a solid platform of months, years, decades of hard work in seclusion. Of not knowing whether their efforts would ever pay off but stubbornly sticking to their goal, keeping their dreams in sight, and believing that one day everything would pay off.

Someone’s path to success may not look like others who achieved the same goal. But it doesn’t make their path less meaningful?less work. One person may take a well trodden path, one believed proven, while another takes side trips, and constantly veers off the path. There is no right or wrong way, but there is a right and wrong way for an individual; your path is the one that feels natural to you, the one that makes you happy. There is a tendency in society to condemn those that veer off the path by those who remain firmly on it, and vise versa. It is unfortunate, but part of this is that person trying to justify their own choices in life. Trying to affirm to themselves that they’re making the proper decision and are taking the path that will lead them to success. It would be much simpler if we could look at our own path, believe in it, and encourage the others who chose otherwise.

Believing in yourself is key to patience, determination, and success. Others can tell you they believe in you (and this is helpful) but if you don’t believe in yourself then the belief of others will only sustain you for so long. The belief in yourself may waver from time to time, but the core has to be there and you need to be able to grasp onto it.

Behind every success there are failures, doubts, and struggles. Even in success there is the fear to recreate that success again, an unknown on the next step. Elizabeth Gilbert made a speech about this after her success with Eat, Pray, Love, she attained success seemingly overnight, but with that success those feelings of fear, uncertainty, and doubt didn’t go away. This is part of the reason why you need to develop your determination, your belief in yourself, and persistence in what you want. Because, even with success, there will be struggles, there will be imposter-syndrome, and while others may tell you they believe in you, you have to believe in yourself and you need to be patient with yourself.

Determination to achieve your goal, persistence in continuing to educate yourself, and patience with the process are they keys to success. Never give up, never stop working, and never stop believing. There will be roadblocks, hurdles, washouts, and obstacles you can’t predict. All of these can be overcome if you are patient with yourself and allow yourself to adapt.

ReferencesGilbert, Elizabeth: Your elusive creative genius. TED Talk. February 2009.

Deanna Roney is an AU graduate who loves adventure in life and literature.